Drugs are a permanent feature of nearly every society. We are inundated with all sorts of substances that in one way or another impact on our consciousness. Some speed up our thinking (stimulants) while others may dull our thinking (depressants). There are also many in between. Clearly not all drugs are illegal; coffee, for example, is a subtle stimulant and people have been consuming it in its various forms for generations. Some are so completely addictive and horrible that they must be banned. Others, though illegal, are so frequently used that some believe that they out to be legalized or at least decriminalized; marijuana is an example of such a substance.
Here is some basic physiological principles one ought to know about narcotics. These are taken from Sylwester and Hasegawa's (1989) article, "How to Explain Drugs to Your Students":
Amphetamines block dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake channels.
Valium enhances GABA's ability to bind to its inhibitory receptors.
Cocaine blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Caffeine extends the stimulant action of cyclic AMP.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) mimics anadamide, one of the body's naturally recurring pleasure chemicals.
Ecstasy (MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine) depletes the brain of serotonin levels.
In preparation for a class discussion on drugs and addiction next class. We will use the film, Through a Blue Lense, for the basis of our discussion. Be prepared to come to the next class ready to discuss drugs and addiction in general, and the film specifically. Part 1 of 6 is below.
Activity One for Drugs: Brief Keynote Presentation by Group
You are to create a brief five minute or less presentation summary of the chapter you and your group members have read. Use pictures, or visuals of some sort to aid in your peer teaching of the reading. Consider this a participation grade.
For this activity your group will do a brief summary presentation on a Chapter from the website Straight Talk on Alcohol and Other Drugs
BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN TO YOU PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATIONS. THESE WILL BE COLLECTED AFTER THEY HAVE ALL BEEN DONE.
Here are the groups: Block F
Your team (as stated above) has been given a task to solve. It is one of the biggest problems facing communities in the world, today. Many people suffer directly and indirectly from this problem. The problem is substance abuse and addiction. Address this problem from the perspective of a citizen (local, national, or global - it does not matter).
Your mission is to solve this problem.
Substance abuse - What must be done? (This is the question)
You have forty minutes to come up with a plan of action to this problem.
Prepare a verbal presentation for what your plan of action is.
Be prepared to defend your position against those who will oppose or find fault with it.
Drugs & Consciousness
Drugs are a permanent feature of nearly every society. We are inundated with all sorts of substances that in one way or another impact on our consciousness. Some speed up our thinking (stimulants) while others may dull our thinking (depressants). There are also many in between. Clearly not all drugs are illegal; coffee, for example, is a subtle stimulant and people have been consuming it in its various forms for generations. Some are so completely addictive and horrible that they must be banned. Others, though illegal, are so frequently used that some believe that they out to be legalized or at least decriminalized; marijuana is an example of such a substance.Here is some basic physiological principles one ought to know about narcotics. These are taken from Sylwester and Hasegawa's (1989) article, "How to Explain Drugs to Your Students":
- Amphetamines block dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake channels.
- Alcohol mimics and decreases GABA.
- Opiates mimic endorphines.
- Mescaline mimices norepinephrine.
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) mimics serotonin.
- Nicotine mimics acetylcholine.
- Valium enhances GABA's ability to bind to its inhibitory receptors.
- Cocaine blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
- Caffeine extends the stimulant action of cyclic AMP.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) mimics anadamide, one of the body's naturally recurring pleasure chemicals.
- Ecstasy (MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine) depletes the brain of serotonin levels.
In preparation for a class discussion on drugs and addiction next class. We will use the film, Through a Blue Lense, for the basis of our discussion. Be prepared to come to the next class ready to discuss drugs and addiction in general, and the film specifically. Part 1 of 6 is below.Activity One for Drugs: Brief Keynote Presentation by Group
You are to create a brief five minute or less presentation summary of the chapter you and your group members have read. Use pictures, or visuals of some sort to aid in your peer teaching of the reading. Consider this a participation grade.
For this activity your group will do a brief summary presentation on a Chapter from the website Straight Talk on Alcohol and Other Drugs
BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN TO YOU PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATIONS. THESE WILL BE COLLECTED AFTER THEY HAVE ALL BEEN DONE.
Here are the groups:
Block F
Block G
Activity Two for Drugs: What must be done?
- Your team (as stated above) has been given a task to solve. It is one of the biggest problems facing communities in the world, today. Many people suffer directly and indirectly from this problem. The problem is substance abuse and addiction. Address this problem from the perspective of a citizen (local, national, or global - it does not matter).
- Your mission is to solve this problem.
- Substance abuse - What must be done? (This is the question)
- You have forty minutes to come up with a plan of action to this problem.
- Prepare a verbal presentation for what your plan of action is.
- Be prepared to defend your position against those who will oppose or find fault with it.
Notes for this module:Assignment for this module: